Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB] Chapter 139

After so ti at sea, Elizabeth had gradually transford from a delicate noblewoman into a capable sailor, able to assist with tasks on the ship.

Watching her progress at a speed visible to the naked eye, Ethan couldn't help but acknowledge that she wasn't just infatuated with pirate stories—she truly had a talent for it.

"I'm learning fast," Elizabeth said proudly, noticing Ethan watching her. She walked over with a self-satisfied expression.

"You are quite talented."

Ethan wasn't one to withhold praise when it was due. Elizabeth indeed had a knack for sailing. However, what concerned him more was the next question.

"So, I hope you didn't forget to leave a letter on the Interceptor—otherwise, if Norrington thinks we kidnapped you, that's going to be a real problem."

Being pursued by the Royal Navy was no joke. Even if the Black Pearl was one of the fastest ships on the sea, it wouldn't hold up against an endless naval pursuit. Besides, Ethan had more important matters to deal with, he couldn't afford to waste ti outrunning soldiers.

"Don't worry, he'll see the letter."

She had placed it in the captain's quarters, the one Norrington had vacated. As long as no one disturbed the room, he would find it the mont he returned.

The real question was whether Norrington would imdiately set sail in pursuit after reading it. That seed unlikely. The Interceptor had already been at sea for a while, and its supplies would soon run low. With prisoners aboard, Norrington would have no choice but to return to Port Royal first.

By the ti he resupplied and set out to find her, he wouldn't have a clear direction. His only lead would be Tortuga, but Jack had been careful when recruiting the crew, he had ntioned nothing about their destination or purpose.

Even now, the sailors on board had no idea where their captain was headed. All they knew was that the voyage promised minimal danger—for pirates, that ant no imminent battles with formidable enemies. Storms and rough seas were just part of the job.

"Storm!"

The unpredictability of the sea was always present. Just monts ago, the weather had been calm and sunny. Now, dark clouds had gathered, and the rain began to pour.

The raging waves tossed the Black Pearl up and down. Jack, who had been resting in the cabin, rushed out, taking his place at the helm. As captain, he personally steered the ship and commanded the crew, guiding them through the worsening storm.

Ethan didn't interfere. Instead, he stood quietly behind Jack, observing how an experienced sailor handled an authentic sailing vessel in extre weather.

While Ethan had so experience, most of his knowledge ca from books and personal trial and error. No one had ever guided him. Jack, however, had learned from seasoned veterans, making his skills invaluable to watch.

He paid close attention to how Jack adjusted the sails, the angles used to navigate through the storm, and the rapid decision-making needed to chart the safest course through the waves. These were lessons worth learning.

Thanks to his exceptional mory, Ethan could store all of Jack's actions in his mind and later analyze them in slow detail, ensuring he absorbed every technique.

Soone else was doing the sa.

In such weather, Elizabeth, lacking the physical strength to contribute could only stand aside and observe. Even when Ethan suggested she take shelter in the cabin to avoid being thrown overboard, she refused.

"I said I wouldn't hold back," she insisted.

What a stubborn and determined woman.

Since Ethan was there, he wouldn't let her co to harm. If she wanted to stay, so be it.

Perhaps Jack had chosen the right course, the Black Pearl soon sailed out of the storm. Though rain still fell, the wind had cald, and the waves were no longer a threat. The ship was now back to normal sailing conditions, allowing Jack to relinquish control to the crew.

"We've left the Caribbean."

The Black Pearl had entered the Atlantic, and according to Jack's enchanted compass, the Fountain of Youth was located sowhere within these waters.

Here, the sea was more treacherous, and the risks far greater. If sothing went wrong, their chances of survival were significantly lower than in the Caribbean.

"Let's hope this adventure goes smoothly."

In the Caribbean, nurous islands dotted the sea, and rchant ships frequently crossed the waters. Even in tis of trouble, there was always a chance of rescue.

Now, they were venturing into the vast, unpredictable Atlantic. Their path would take them far from any major trade routes, into waters where even warships rarely patrolled. There were no islands to take refuge on—only an endless expanse of ocean.

"If Jack's compass is accurate, this journey will be fine."

In the original tiline, multiple groups had searched for the Fountain of Youth, and all had managed to locate it through various ans. This proved that finding it wasn't difficult, nor was there significant danger along the way. As long as their voyage remained steady, it was only a matter of ti before they reached their destination.

For Ethan, the greatest challenge was ti itself.

Although it seed like he hadn't done much in this world, he had already spent a considerable amount of ti here. Sea voyages were long and monotonous, with most days wasted simply sailing.

This was precisely why he had prioritized the Fountain of Youth over Blackbeard. Searching for a moving target like Blackbeard would waste even more ti.

If they were unlucky, they could spend months tracking Blackbeard without success, leaving them with neither the Fountain nor their original goal. By focusing on a fixed target first, Ethan ensured at least one major success before even considering the next step.

"As it stands, securing the Fountain of Youth will be the biggest accomplishnt of this journey."

Fortunately, the long days at sea finally ca to an end.

Following Jack's compass, they arrived at an island—the location of the Fountain of Youth.

As they docked, most of the crew remained unfazed, unaware of the true purpose of their voyage.

Ethan and Jack remained composed, showing little excitent. In contrast, Elizabeth was practically glowing with enthusiasm. Since leaving Port Royal, she had transford into a reckless adventurer, completely shedding the image of a refined governor's daughter.

Though this island was remote, largely undiscovered, and well outside any known trade routes, precautions were still necessary. To ensure their escape route remained secure, Mr. Gibbs and the crew stayed behind on the Black Pearl, ready to defend the ship if anything went wrong.

anwhile, Ethan, Jack, and Elizabeth ventured into the island's depths in search of the Fountain of Youth.

Carrying food and essential gear, they made their way inland. Once they were a fair distance from the Black Pearl, their conversation naturally turned to the purpose of their journey.

"I heard that using the Fountain of Youth requires a rmaid's tear and a sacred chalice," Jack remarked.

A lifelong pursuer of mystical artifacts, Jack knew all sorts of legends surrounding the Fountain—even so of its supposed rituals.

Sotis, Ethan couldn't help but wonder where Jack gathered all this information. At tis, it seed as if Jack had already found the Fountain before, if not for the fact that his actions in the films made it clear he hadn't.

"I'm not searching for the Fountain just to use it imdiately," Ethan replied.

"Then why are you looking for it?"

It wasn't just Jack who was curious, Elizabeth also found it strange. If Ethan wasn't after eternal youth or immortality, why go to such lengths to find it? He had even helped Jack reclaim his ship first, all in pursuit of this goal.

"I want to understand how the Fountain of Youth ca to be."

This was Ethan's true purpose. He suspected that the Fountain existed due to the island's natural alignnt with certain magical principles, perhaps an environntal phenonon that ford a self-sustaining magical array, imbuing the water with extraordinary properties.

His goal was to analyze the site thoroughly and determine if this "magic circle" could be artificially replicated. If successful, he would never have to worry about aging or lifespan again.

Even if replication failed, having access to the Fountain itself would at least slow his aging for a significant period.

"So that's it. You want to figure out how it works," Jack mused.

"And then he could create his own Fountain of Youth," Elizabeth added, realizing the implications.

Jack blinked. "Now that's an interesting thought… Are all magicians this insane?"

For once, Elizabeth agreed with Jack. "This is beyond crazy."

"Pretty much," Ethan admitted with a shrug. Magicians often pursued ideas that seed outlandish to ordinary people, their way of thinking was simply different.

As they talked, they quickly reached their destination—a cave hidden deep within the island.

Standing at its entrance, they proceeded inward until they reached the very back. There, a solid stone wall blocked their path.

Elizabeth and Jack turned to Ethan expectantly, waiting for his next move.

Ethan remained silent.

He could feel sothing familiar in the air, a distinct fluctuation of space energy.

(To be continued.)